Temptation – May 6, 2017 – I hope you enjoy the sunshine today. I couldn’t help but share these short stories. In James chapter 1, we learn that God does not tempt us, but He allows us to be tempted. Temptation is a yoke, if we choose to claim it and wear it. James also encourages us in verses 21-24 not to be merely hearers of the word (knowledge), but to be doers, and share what we have learned. How many areas can we apply this to in our lives? God’s plan is for us to learn his way of Read More
Five Senses
Five Senses – May 5, 2017 – When is a good time to talk to God? All the time! Not just when things go wrong. God has given us everything that our 5 senses can sense, plus our memory and our ability to talk with Him. He hears us! Why did I include our memory, because He gives us that specifically to carry out His plan of “Love one another as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:39).” This is the essence of forgiveness. We know we have forgiven those who wronged us when a memory comes up and doesn’t incite an Read More
Loneliness
Loneliness – May 4, 2017 – Ever feel alone and wish someone would just touch you or say hi? How many people live in our society, in our neighborhood that might feel this way. Being alone in space, that’s about as alone as anyone can be on the outside. What about those who are alone on the inside? Those who are alone in a room full of people, or worse, in a room full of loved ones. I’ve been that guy. Jacob was alone for a time because he deceived his brother who in turn wanted to kill him. Finding Read More
David and Gideon
David and Gideon – May 3, 2017 – We can learn a lot by studying David and Gideon. We can learn about love, leadership, servanthood, faith, honor, and integrity. God’s love for us is immeasurable. Is our faith in Him immeasurable? Both of these great men questioned God. We get wrapped up in the idea that God showed them His power almost instantly and expect the same. These men were in awe of God and asked for confirmation of their belief, whereas we typically don’t believe without confirmation. God was using them to write history and the Bible. Read More
Strife and Troubles
Strife and Troubles – May 2, 2017 – It doesn’t do us any good to get mad at someone else for doing their job. After all, it is our doing that we’re in need of their authority. If you say, “Ya but…” think about Proverbs 20:3, “Keeping away from strife is an honor for you, but any fool will quarrel; or think about Proverbs 21:21&23 “He or she who pursues righteousness and loyalty finds life, righteousness and honor. He who guards his mouth and his tongue, guards his soul from troubles.” Strife and troubles are weeds in the fertile soil Read More
Modern Leprosy
Modern Leprosy – April 29, 2017 – I can relate to the leper in this story and the man on the train. As a child I had eczema. If I’d been alive in Jesus’s day, they would have called me a leper and banished me. I’ve only met 1 person who had it as bad as me. Some pushed me away, while most I kept my distance from. By God’s grace, my kids didn’t get it. Once I really started getting to know God, He has touched me and healed me of 99% of my eczema. Most of the people Read More
Small Things
Small Things – April 28, 2017 – Small things, (thoughts, actions, beliefs, habits, fears) compounded over time measure up to something drastically different and big later. Immediate change does not last without the disciplined time and effort. This is why God wants us to read His word daily. In reading Psalm 116, it says – v1 I love the Lord, because He hears my voice and my supplications (humble prayers and requests)…v5 Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yes, our God is compassionate…v7 Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you. All we Read More